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Palau Facts

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Palau, State of Micronesia, Western Pacific; 488 km2, 18,000 residents (2019).Palau comprises eight larger and just over 250 smaller islands. The main islands are Koror and Babelthuap. The capital is Ngerulmud on the island of Babelthuap.

Palau Country Flag

Country facts

  • Belau (Palau)
    Republic of Palau (English) /
    Republic of Palau
  • Country abbreviation: PW
  • Area: 488 km2
  • Population (2019): 18,000 residents
  • Capital: Ngerulmud
  • Main languages: palau, english
  • State: Republic
  • Head of State and Head of Government: Tommy Remengesau (President)
  • Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 17,318
  • GNI per capita (2018): US $ 16,910
  • Currency unit: US $ 1 = 100 cents
  • Currency code: USD
  • Country code (telephony): 680
  • Internet domain name: pw
  • Time difference compared to Sweden: +8
  • National Day: July 9 (Constitution adopted, 1979)
  • Independence Day: October 1, 1994

Nature

  • Land use: no information available
  • Highest mountain: Ngerchelchuus (242 m asl)

Population

  • Population density (2019): 37 residents per km2
  • Natural population growth (2019): 0.5%; birth rate 14 ‰, death rate 9 ‰
  • Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (20%), 15-64 (73%), 65- (7%)
  • Average life expectancy (2019): men 68 years, women 78 years
  • Infant mortality (2019): 17 per 1,000 live births
  • Population forecast 2050: 30,000 residents
  • HDI (2017): 0.798 (place 60 of 189)
  • Urbanization rate (2019): 80%
  • Most populous city (2016): Koror (9,800 residents)

Business

  • Industry’s contribution to GDP (2016): agriculture (3%), industry (19%), service (78%)
  • Exports (2016): USD 118 million
  • Main export products: seafood, tuna
  • Main exporting countries: USA, Japan, Singapore
  • Imports (2016): US $ 179 million
  • Main import products: machinery, fuel, food
  • Main importing countries: USA, Japan, Singapore

Communications

  • Railway network: nothing in operation
  • Road network (2010): 61 km
  • Internet users per 100 residents: no information available

Palau’s island world is largely surrounded by an elongated coral reef; many of the islands are also coral islands. However, the largest island of Babelthuap has bedrock formed by volcanism and reaches up to more than 200 m above sea level. The climate is tropical.

The country, which became independent in 1994, has a democratic regime in which the executive power lies with a president and a vice president; both are elected in general, direct elections for a four-year term. The legislative power lies with Parliament, which consists of a Senate and a delegate, both houses elected in general elections every four years. There are no political parties. The economy is dominated by the tourism and service sectors, but there is also some export of textiles, tuna and tropical crops such as copra. Self-management through fishing and agriculture is very widespread. The country receives extensive financial support from the United States.

Palau Map

Palau Map

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